"Reference" TDA1541A DAC with I2S-BUS architecture

[Peterma]

Negative not working

Hi I finally get to adjust the shunts, positive is ok abut both negative shunts dont work maybe i have small transistor problems, main transistors are correct, voltage in is ok, leds are correct. can somebody suggest anything?

Thanks

 

[wlowes]

Sure, here are few pics.

DTSES
We never heard if you felt better about it after it settled in a bit. I would think 50 hrs might open it up quite a bit.

Your work is nice and neat. A lot of work has gone into it. As an arm chair quaterback, I wonder if your physical layout is contributing to lack luster sound.

You end up with pretty long runs from shunts to consumers. I have heard people say if you can't get down to a couple inches, really not much value in the shunt.

Also, the I2S runs are pretty long. I wonder if you just re arranged a bit. By rotating the board that feeds the red baron and sliding it into the place of the red baron you could achieve short I2S signals and short power cables from your shunts. Just a thought.

 

[dtses]

Thanks for advice!

Currently I' working on layout and 4 additional Salas shunts for Ians board and output stage. Also customized toroid with 8 separated windings will be installed. Each line outputs 200mA of current, so I'll set the shunts at 100-120mA each for proper operating conditions. Didn't know about the short wiring here, thanks!

Anyway, the dac is not bad for sure, perhaps just my expectations were quite high due to amount of work and time I spent with it. I think that new additions will bring it to another level. I'll post some pics later.

 

[dtses]

wlowes

could you please comment on the layout below?

- There are 9 Salas shunts in total, some of them will still have a bit long connection from both sides.
- Ian's PCM board will be placed on top of DAC board
- Will use ipx mini coax cables to connect spdif module to PCM board
- PCM and DAC boards will be hard soldered, 2-3cm cables will go directly to TDA chip.

 

[ryanj]

Hi dtses,

You must have ground returns as close as possible to all your I2S lines to the dac or you will have a high impedance on the signal resulting in trigger uncertainty which will give you high amounts of jitter.

I wouldn't be surprised that if you fix this alone the sound quality will improve significantly. Although it must be executed correctly for the best results. Even if you just try twisting a separate ground around each I2S line, it would be better than nothing.

Ryan

 

[dtses]

thanks Ryan, then I will use same ipx coax cables from PCM board to TDA chip!

 

[ryanj]

Not a problem, let us know how it turns out.

 

[wlowes]

wlowes

could you please comment on the layout below?

- There are 9 Salas shunts in total, some of them will still have a bit long connection from both sides.
- Ian's PCM board will be placed on top of DAC board
- Will use ipx mini coax cables to connect spdif module to PCM board
- PCM and DAC boards will be hard soldered, 2-3cm cables will go directly to TDA chip.

Looks much better. Most suggest that the 15V PS to TDA is most critical, so perhaps ensure that this salas shunt has the premium position for short cable.

 

[andrea_mori]

Hi all,

if anyone was interested in the custom Laptech crystal
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/grou...hronous-i2s-s-pdif-fifo-kit-group-buy-70.html
please add your name in the wish list at
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/digital-line-level/203511-any-good-tda1541a-dac-kit-96.html

The minimum orderable quantity from Laptech is 5 pcs for each frequency.
When that quantity will be reached I ask Laptech for a quote.

Andrea

 

[Vbenonisen]

Greetings from Norway.

I have just "finished" my Reference TDA1541A DAC and the music sounds - and more importantly - feels just great. It has rediscovered the soul in my music collection.

Thank you Oliver Mai for making this possible for diy'ers all over the world.

Kind regards,
Vidar

Anyone interested can take a look at the last pictures in this thread:

Red Baron 1541A-I2S-En begynnelse

 

[dvb projekt]

Greetings from Norway.

I have just "finished" my Reference TDA1541A DAC and the music sounds - and more importantly - feels just great. It has rediscovered the soul in my music collection.

Thank you Oliver Mai for making this possible for diy'ers all over the world.

Kind regards,
Vidar

Anyone interested can take a look at the last pictures in this thread:

Red Baron 1541A-I2S-En begynnelse

Hi Vidar,

great build!
Have much fun and thank´s for your kind words.

Cheers,
Oliver

 

[Vbenonisen]

It's well deserved. I have some experience with the ESS Sabre 9018 DAC and the mid-range, physicality and musicality from the TDA 1541A is in a whole different league. It's so much better on classical and jazz (90% of my music collection) that it isn't even funny (or rather very funny). No more Sigma Delta and oversampling for me.

 

[Peterma]

red baron pcb setup cant seem to find a couple of answers regarding the setup of the red baron PCB, i am going to use the onboard buffer so i have the little DC reference module ready as well, i am ready to power the dac board but there are some adjustments that i am not sure about regarding the 2 output 250k multi trims and the ref mod how to conect and test instructions, can someone point to the instructions thanks

 

[Peterma]

ok simpler question: how to Adjust the left and right channels trimmers to 0V offset on red baron v5? where to attach multi-meter probes

 

[Peterma]

The setting points pictures dont work anymore so i cant see where to put the probes to measure dc offset...

 

[dvb projekt]

imageshack now want money...


Anyway, now all pictures are back. You could see the settingpoint´s HERE.

 

[PixelPlay]

Hi Guys,
I have the waveio isolated i2s connected as per Oliver's suggestions further back in this thread. Is it possible to take the 3.3v required for the waveio isolated i2s on the v+ and isolated ground from the 3.3v salas reg feeding the Red Baron v5 board. I'm not using a FIFO setup and just want to get it working. What is your recommendation for the 3.3v on the waveio isolated i2s?
Thanks for your help.

 

[dvb projekt]

Hi Guys,
I have the waveio isolated i2s connected as per Oliver's suggestions further back in this thread. Is it possible to take the 3.3v required for the waveio isolated i2s on the v+ and isolated ground from the 3.3v salas reg feeding the Red Baron v5 board. I'm not using a FIFO setup and just want to get it working. What is your recommendation for the 3.3v on the waveio isolated i2s?
Thanks for your help.

You have a PM

You could also use the simple version and power the isolated side of the WaveIO from the 3.3V Red Baron side.

 

[kp93300]

Hi
I am thinking of doing a TDA 1541 dac

can someone point me to the relevant posts highlighting the differences in the
TDA1541A DAC Module and the Red barron V5 .

some info in assembly guidelines and pictures would be helpful also.

thanks

kp93300

 

[JOHNNYCR100]

confuseion connecting cd pro 2 12 s out to reg baron in?

Hi Ya gents,

sort of a newbee question here!.Sorry to bother but i am sorta stuck.

On my CDPro 2 I can locate the 12 s output connector- a 6pin effort- so i made a colour coded lead to fit-- with the mechanism on the floor and as i look at it square on from left to right , according to the Phillips data sheet :

Pin 1= Misc (N/c on my lead)
Pin 2 = SCLK (Black on my lead)
Pin 3= WCLK (Brown on my lead)
Pin4= DATA (Red on my lead)
Pin5= Gnd ( Orange on my lead)
Pin6= graphics o/p (N/c on my lead)

Now looking at the Red Baron DAC input: 12S Ground is self explanatory
DATA is also self expansionary

However Sclock (from the CD Pro2) is that BCK or FS on the Red Baron I/P?
Also FS, (from the CD Pro2) is that BCK or FS on the Red Baron I/P?

Any help accepted, as i have yet to hear music from the Red Baron (but i know its in there somewhere!)

Thanks Gents
Johnny